YLB EXPERIENCE

About Youth Leadership Broward

Youth Leadership Broward (YLB), a program of Leadership Broward Foundation (LBF), is a nine-month program that provides an opportunity for students to gain real-life experiences through interactions with community leaders from businesses, government agencies, and civic organizations; develop essential leadership skills such as team building, conflict resolution, time management, public speaking and goal setting; and impact the community through an ongoing service project throughout the year. Each year, fifty-five current high school sophomores from across Broward County are selected to participate in this program during their junior year.

APPLY FOR YLB CLASS XXXVIII

Eligibility
Applications are open to all current sophomores attending a Broward County public, charter or private high school who meet the following criteria:

• Hold a grade point average of 3.0 or higher
• Demonstrate leadership in their schools and/or community
• Have an interest in enhancing their leadership skills and knowledge of Broward County
• Receive approval by a high school principal and/or guidance counselor

Time Commitment (See Calendar of Dates below)

• Attend program orientation, opening retreat, leadership day, and graduation day and evening
• Attend at least four (4) of the six (6) monthly program days which take place on school days from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• Participate in a mandatory ongoing community service project outside of YLB and school hours

APPLY FOR YLB CLASS XXXVIII

Student Benefits

• Develop leadership and communication skills
• Get a backstage pass to Broward County
• Receive up to 30 community service hours
• Build resume and college application
• Interact with business and community leaders
• Meet a diverse group of peers from different schools

Tuition
The cost of the program is $975 and covers all program costs including bus transportation and lunch on each of the days. Financial aid is available based on need. A $25 application fee is due at the time of submitting the application.  If not accepted the $25 application fee will be refunded.  The final payment must be paid in full by May 12, 2024.

How to Apply
The YLB program application and additional information can be found HERE. Contact Andrew Zullo, at (954) 767-8866 or at andrew@leadershipbroward.org with any questions.

All students are required to participate in a community service project with a small group of YLB classmates outside of YLB days and after school hours. Students can earn up to 30 hours of community service throughout the year.

APPLY FOR YLB CLASS XXXVIII

Testimonials

“I really wanted to appreciate and thank you for giving me the opportunity to take part in YLB last year, and for the impact the program had on the insight I have on life, but also the actions I took towards becoming the person I am now. The skills that I learned at YLB will definitely carry into my future, and I feel tremendously glad that I had the chance to take part in this program.”

– Diego F

“Being a part of YLB Class 33 was an amazing experience. I got to see so many parts of the community that I didn’t know previously how they ran and I met so many people who were willing to let teenagers impact the community. I also made several friends within the program, one of which has become one of my best friends since. I’m more outgoing and open to cooperative leadership since YLB and I’m actually Co-President of my school’s  NHS Chapter which wouldn’t have been possible without my YLB skills. I hope that many more students get to experience YLB and that they get as many positive experiences as I did.”

– Caitlyn M.

“The Youth Leadership Broward program was definitely the bright-side of junior year. Along with the stresses of testing, maintaining the last set of grades seen by colleges, and school alone, it was always refreshing to enter a new month and know a YLB program day is coming up. The program allowed me to be able to step out of my bubble and develop relationships with people my age and leaders in our community. Not only did YLB provide me with the safe haven from responsibilities, but also provided me with resources to become a leader in community and school.”

– Jordan F.

“Being in YLB helped me experience so many new places in Broward County that I have never been to. Even through COVID, I was able to learn so much about the justice system, the Stranahan house, and even an art gallery. Through this program, I was able to meet so many great people that I wouldn’t have been able to meet without joining this program. I learned of so many new career paths that I hadn’t known about. My favorite part of this experience was definitely the day we went to tiger tail because even though I didn’t get in the water I got to talk to some great people and we got to learn  so much about each other through team-building exercises the whole day.”

– Kyndell B.

“I would like to tell you how much I appreciate the opportunity to have been able to be a part of YLB. Many of my classmates have decided to keep in touch although we are on different paths, the journey that we did together at YLB was inspiring.

This opportunity allowed me to continue to build my leadership skills which I would like to let you know where it has taken me since April. I had an unpaid internship with the Mayor of Coral Springs at his family law practice. I now have been able to work virtually 10 hours a week and it is a part-time paying job. Additionally, I have been accepted to 4 universities and have interviewed for a seat at Nova’s DO program as well as interviewed for their Presidential Scholarship which offers full tuition. I also was accepted as a direct admit to FAU’s nursing program. I’m currently waiting to hear back from Nova and UF and FSU. I also earned straight A’s at Broward College as a High School dual enrollment student.

I have decided that my path is to become a doctor. I chose to work hard in learning leadership skills when I was a freshman at Marjory Stoneman Douglas after the tragedy. I realized that I needed to find a way to have a voice.

Mostly, I believe that having attended YLB’s program helped to not waste precious time during the pandemic. I continued to work hard in school and to make a difference in my community. I am currently a part of my Class Board for Leadership at Douglas as well as a class Senator as well as part of the National Honor Society.

I hope someday after I become a doctor to come back to Broward and serve my community as an ER doctor and attend Leadership Broward as an adult.”

– Talia K.

SAMPLE PROGRAM DAY AGENDAS

YLB Sample Criminal Justice Day

YLB Sample Government and Education Day

PICTURES FROM LAST YEAR’S – Government and Education Day

YLB Sample Business and Media Day 

QUESTIONS?

Call Andrew Zullo at the Leadership Broward Office at  (954) 767-8866.

APPLY FOR YLB CLASS XXXVIII